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Federal Government inaugurates Nigerian Advisory Board for the African Enterprise Initiative

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3 years ago

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The Nigerian Board of Advisors for the African Enterprise Initiative was inaugurated by the Hon Minister of Industries, Trade, and Investment Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, today, 6th July 2021. The African Enterprise Initiative Nigerian Board of Advisors includes Dr. Nicky Okoye who is the founder and Executive Chairman of the African Enterprise Initiative, others are Mr. SayyuDantata Chairman of MRS Group, Charles Momoh Chairman of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Kola Adesina Chairman/ Chief Executive Sahara Power Group, Dakuku Peterside Former NIMASA Director-General, Prince Fifi Ejindu co-founder Star Crest, Dr. Ola Brown, Founder of Flying Doctors, Olukemi Arodudu Director Investment FMITI, CEO SMEDAN, Managing Director Bank of Industry, CEO Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, the Country Director for the African Development Bank and a host of others.

The Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the African Enterprise Initiative was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade, and Investment, and by Dr. Nicky Okoye founder and Executive Chairman of the African Enterprise Initiative and founder Nicky Okoye Foundation. The African Enterprise Initiative is designed to provide the capacity, the drive, funding, and platform required for Nigerian Enterprises operating at all levels, especially the micro, small and medium businesses, to penetrate global markets, expand their product and service offering base as well as attract investment capital from local and international sources. A major intervention of the African Enterprise Initiative is a strategic intervention designed for Nigerians at the grassroots and for the Nation’s community-based entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises. These micro community enterprises will have direct access to African Enterprise Initiative’s community enterprise clinics which will be sited in over 500 many communities across Nigeria. The African Enterprise Initiative will also create strategic platforms and interventions for the sustainable growth of Nigerian enterprises across the board working closely with the Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment, local and foreign development partners, State Governments, and other Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

In a statement credited to the Hon Minister at the signing of the MOU, he said……

We are proud to partner with the Nicky Okoye Foundation to implement the African Enterprise Initiative, which has major impact implications for Nigeria’s youth employment situation as well as for growth in the capacity of Nigerian businesses. We are grateful that Dr. Nicky Okoye and the Foundation, chose to start the implementation of the African Enterprise Initiative with Nigeria and we believe that Nigeria’s extensive population of entrepreneurs will benefit from this initiative.

Dr. Nicky Okoye had this to say,

“We designed the African Enterprise Initiative as a strategic response to the need for inclusion in the global market value chain for all Nigerian and African enterprises. In an effort to drive that inclusion we have identified the key resources and requirements our African businesses will need, including access to capital, skills, market penetration, and seamless platforms to do cross-board transactions. We have developed these interventions and streamlined them in an easy-to-understand format that is supported by technology, capital, and expertise. Our strategic partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment is a monumental pillar of the African Enterprise Initiative and we are extremely fortunate that the Federal Government has identified value in what we are doing.”

ABOUT THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF INDUSTRIES, TRADE, AND INVESTMENT and the NICKY OKOYE FOUNDATION

The Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade, and Investment is charged with expanding and promoting Nigeria’s Investment space. In addition, the Ministry drives Nigeria’s expansive Trade and Industrial policy landscape which all have major implications for job creation and economic development.

The NICKY OKOYE FOUNDATIONis founded by Dr Nicky Okoye, a serial entrepreneur, global business strategy and national development strategy expert. Dr Nicky Okoye is a Co-founder of Transcorp Plc, he served as Transcorp’s first Group Executive Director Operations (COO), and he midwifed Transcorp Plc’s rapid growth by acquisition phase. Dr Okoye has also served as the Nigeria Stock Exchange’s Chief Strategy Officer where he drove the implementation of key market reforms, supported the expansion of the Nigerian capital market globally and anchored the Central Securities Clearing System’s transition into an automated global clearing house for securities and data storage. Nicky Okoye is also the Group CEO for Anabel Group, a group engaged in telecommunications, business development strategy advisory and technology. The Nicky Okoye Foundation is well known for convening the Nigeria Leadership Summit founded in 2012, and holding eight annual summits till date. The Nicky Okoye Foundation also founded the EMPOWER NIGERIA initiative Chaired by His Excellency Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Common Wealth Secretary General. The Empower Nigeria Initiative was the premier private sector led social and economic impact initiative for supporting grass root entrepreneurship across Nigeria, growing into a whopping four hundred thousand members at its peak.

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Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

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21 hours ago

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November 7, 2024

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Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

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Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

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1 day ago

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November 6, 2024

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The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

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Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

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1 day ago

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November 6, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

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